Starting a crochet business and knowing where to begin can feel overwhelming. As an experienced crocheter, you may be ready to take the next step and turn your hobby into a profitable crochet business. In this starter’s guide, we’ll walk you through the key steps and considerations to help you launch a successful crochet business from scratch.
These simple guidelines are enough to help you get started and switch from a crochet hobbyist to crochet pro from day one, saving you time and money in the long term. Our aim with this guide is to inspire all crochet entrepreneurs in the making.
Identify Your Crochet Business Niche
The crochet industry is growing rapidly and is highly competitive whether you’re selling finished products at craft fairs or you’re designing crochet patterns for publication, you need to know how you will stand out in this crowded market. Begin with these steps to identify your business niche:
Identify You Unique Selling Proposition for Your Crochet Business
The first step is to identify your unique selling proposition and target market. Ask yourself: What types of crochet products or patterns do you want to offer? (e.g. home decor, apparel, toys, etc.). When deciding your offer, it’s best to focus on a specific niche.
- A niche can be anything from a super tight range of amigurumi toys in the shape of fruit, to a wider style such as a collection of crochet blankets in a carefully curated palette of soft, soothing colours. A great example of a successful niche crochet business is Emkat Crochet. Helen, the owner, designs beautiful crochet blankets using simple stitches and calming colour schemes. Her patterns are easy to follow and accessible to crocheters of all skill levels.
- The key is to avoid trying to be everything to all people. Narrowing your focus to a particular niche, no matter how small, will make your business stronger and more successful than trying to offer a wide range of crochet products. Specialisation is the key to standing out in a crowded market.
Who is Your Target Customer?
Who is your target customer and what are their specific pain points or interests? Create an ‘avatar’ of your ideal customer asking these sorts of questions:
- How old is your target customer?
- Where do they live?
- What do they do for a living?
- Where do they hang out?
Further consider these following points when identifying you crochet business niche:
What makes your crochet business different?
Think about your specific crochet skills, techniques, and style. Do you have a signature ‘look’ or specialty, like intricate amigurumi or stylish home decor? Highlighting your unique strengths will help you appeal to the right customers.
How can you solve your customers’ pain points?
Consider the specific needs and interests of your target audience. How can your crochet products or patterns address their pain points or make their lives easier? Focusing on your customers’ needs will make your business more valuable.
What’s your competitive advantage?
Research other crochet businesses in your niche. What sets you apart? Maybe it’s your commitment to sustainable materials such as recycled yarns, your easy-to-follow patterns which are thoroughly tested and tech edited for accuracy, or your personalised customer service. Identify your competitive edge and emphasise it in your marketing.
By clearly defining what makes your crochet business unique, you can create a cohesive brand identity and appeal to the right customers. This will help you stand out in a crowded market and build a successful, sustainable crochet business from the outset.
The Practicalities of Your Crochet Business
Next, you’ll need to take care of the practical aspects of starting a crochet business. Consider these options:
Crochet Business Names
Decide on a business name that is unique, simple yet memorable but has meaning for you. It is worth spending some time researching this because you don’t want to pick a name already in use especially if you eventually want to register or trade mark it. Also think about if you later expand into another side to your business such as knitting or embroidery for example. Using the word ‘crochet’ in your business name rather restricts your product offer and then becomes misleading for your customers.
Create an Online Presence
Once you have a business / brand name you are comfortable with, set up an online presence with a website and social media accounts- your social media accounts should also be researched when looking at your business / brand name. Decide on a couple of social media platforms that you want to be present on. Bear in mind that these platforms can take a lot of work on a daily basis to get your follower count and engagement to increase quickly. Consider this: Have you got time to work on more than one or two platforms on a regular basis? Do not spread yourself too thinly!
Do sign up to every social media platform you feel comfortable with, even if you don’t use them initially. This is useful to secure your business username on each one. That way, if at some stage you want to take on another platform, you won’t have to worry about your business username being used by another account. Look at registering your business name to prevent this from happening too.
Pricing Your Crochet Products
Determine pricing for your crochet products or patterns. Don’t be afraid to charge your worth! Think of all the hours you’re putting into your products and think about how much you want to get paid per hour. Don’t forget to think about your costs too, such as yarn, insurance and paying for courses you might have to do.
Having these key elements in place will give your crochet business a strong foundation to grow. It is also worth considering that if you act with integrity and professionalism from the outset of starting your crochet business, this creates a trust between you and your customers. Many business owners make mistakes in the beginning. It’s natural to feel uncertain when venturing into something new and unfamiliar. That’s why it’s so important to put these simple foundational tasks in place early on.
Develop Your Crochet Skills and Product Line
Of course, the heart of your crochet business will be your products and designs. Spend time perfecting your crochet skills and developing a cohesive product line that aligns with your target market. Consider:
- Expanding your crochet techniques and learning new stitches
- Creating a signature style or aesthetic for your crochet designs (it’s all about being niche!)
- Building a catalogue of versatile, high-quality crochet products or patterns
- Obtaining any necessary training (e.g. pattern writing or working with a business coach to learn the dos and donts of setting up and running a business, especially from the legal aspects.)
The more skilled and specialised you become, the more you’ll be able to differentiate your crochet business. By following these key steps, you’ll be well on your way to turning your crochet hobby into a thriving small crochet business.
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